Two cryptomining measures are passed by the Arkansas House in response to statewide outcry

Little Rock, Arkansas – State lawmakers in both chambers have enacted two laws regulating cryptomining during the fiscal session, with the House adopting the bills on Wednesday, in response to a year of mounting criticism from Arkansans.

The legislation, SB78 and SB79, are criticized for being imperfect, but many see them as positive steps that will help communities that are trying to coexist with cryptomines.

“We came to an understanding that there will be more. These two bills that got passed are not perfect, but we’ll know a lot more going into 2025,” said Jerry Lee Bogard, a member of the Committee to Protect Arkansas County (Say No to Crypto in ARCO).

Act 851, a bill established during the most recent legislative session that favored cryptominers and restricted local governments’ capacity to control the business, served as the impetus for the heightened tensions surrounding the practice in Arkansas.

‘NewRays One’, a cryptomine near Bono, Arkansas, is the poster child for cryptomines labeled as ‘bad actors’ by state officials. The ownership of this mine is accused of having connections to the Chinese government. The attorney general is looking into the corporation, and locals have filed a lawsuit against it.

The home of a local family was erected next to Newrays One’s cryptomine, which is often noisy due to the droning computer fans.

“They can’t just come in somewhere and do what they did up there because there was just really nothing to stop them. And I feel so sorry for those folks because the noise level is horrendous. I don’t know how they sleep,” said Terry Robinson, the mayor of Wooster, four miles south of Bono.

One of the legislation enacted today, SB78, was created by the sponsors of Act 851, Rep. Rick McClure, (R) District 29, and Sen. Joshua Bryant, (R) District 32. It alters Act 851 to return control to local governments and addresses a number of newly discovered issues with cryptomines.

“Some have operated professionally and respectfully and responsibly, yet others have shown little regard for the state of Arkansas. Some have not shown any respect for their neighbors. Some are not friends of the U.S.,” McClure said in his address to the House on Wednesday.

“SB78 will deal with the major adverse issues that have been revealed in the last year,” McClure assured. “Local control will be restored…Cities and counties. Statewide restrictions on noise, electrical power grid concerns have been addressed. Legal standing for adjoining property owners and foreign ownership is addressed.”

Legislators in Arkansas have heard the concerns of their voters, and they have sent a very clear message to cryptocurrency miners today.

“If they want to be good neighbors, they want to do it right, we welcome them to the state—but these foreign actors who want to come in, want to disrespect our citizens, disrespect our resources, with the passage of this bill, we tell them it’s time to leave and go somewhere else,” said State Rep. Stephen Meeks, (R) District 42.

The legislation have been brought back to the Senate for enrollment and will soon become law upon the governor’s signature.